Hartford has earned the No. 1 seed and will host the America East Women's Soccer Championship this weekend. No. 2 New Hampshire meets No. 3 Stony Brook at 3:30 p.m. in the first semifinal game Friday (November 8). The host Hawks and No. 4 Northeastern will follow. The winners meet in the championship game Sunday (November 10) at 12 noon. All games will be played at Al-Marzook Field (Directions) in West Hartford, Conn.
It marks the first time since 2000 and fifth time in the nine-year history of the America East Women's Soccer Championship that the event will be held at Hartford.
The host Hawks (6-2-0 in America East, 12-6-0 overall) are making their sixth-straight appearance in the America East Women's Soccer Championship and eighth overall. The Hawks won the first two conference titles in 1994 and 1995 and then three-straight from 1997-99. It marks the first time since 1999 and sixth time overall that Hartford is the No. 1 seed.
Northeastern (4-2-2, 8-7-4), in its seventh year as a varsity program, is making its first trip to the America East Women's Soccer Championship. Fourth-year head coach Ed Matz, who is also the head coach of the Northeastern men's programs, has both his teams in the conference championship fields this year.
New Hampshire (5-2-1, 10-6-1) is making its second-straight America East Women's Soccer Championship appearance and fifth overall. The Wildcats, who have not won a conference title, advanced to the championship game in 1998, losing 4-0 to Hartford.
Stony Brook (4-2-2, 6-10-3) in its second year in America East, is making its first appearance in the America East Women's Soccer Championship.